The Massachusetts Republican State Committee voted unanimously on Thursday, July 31, 2025, to adopt a resolution in support of preserving Columbus Day as a federally recognized holiday. The move comes amid a growing trend among cities and towns in Massachusetts—such as Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville—that have officially renamed the second Monday in October as Indigenous Peoples’ Day.
The resolution, titled “Resolution to Preserve Columbus Day,” was introduced by State Committeeman Nicholas Miceli. The measure emphasizes the historical and cultural significance Columbus Day holds for many communities, including Italian Americans, Hispanics, Catholics, and historians.
According to the resolution, the establishment of Columbus Day was in part a diplomatic response to the 1891 lynching of eleven Italian immigrants in New Orleans. That event, it notes, led to an agreement between the United States and Italy to recognize the contributions of Italian Americans through a federal holiday.
The resolution also addresses the broader debate over historical memory, arguing that recognizing Columbus does not preclude honoring Native American heritage. It notes that Native American Heritage Day is already observed nationally on the Friday after Thanksgiving.
While supporters of renaming the holiday cite Columbus’s role in colonial oppression, those backing Thursday’s resolution argue that the holiday continues to serve as a meaningful expression of identity and resilience for many Americans.
Below is the full text of the resolution:
Resolution to Preserve Columbus Day
Whereas: The Massachusetts Republican Party stands with the Commonwealth’s Italian Americans, Spanish Americans, Catholic Americans, historians, and other devoted citizens in steadfastly supporting preservation of the second Monday of October as “Columbus Day,” which is currently the federally recognized holiday.
Whereas: The Massachusetts Republican Party acknowledges the history of the holiday. Columbus Day was instituted as part of an agreement between the United States and Italy to avoid a pending war in the aftermath of the horrific lynching of eleven Italians in New Orleans in 1891. Ever after, it has been commemorated for Italians to celebrate their heritage and collective contributions to the United States.
Whereas: The Knights of Columbus celebrate Columbus Day, knowing that the explorer brought Christianity to the New World—giving voice and representation to generations of Catholics.
Whereas: We already honor and celebrate the Indigenous community on Native American Heritage Day, the Friday after Thanksgiving in November.
Whereas: The Massachusetts Republican Party stands with the sentiment expressed by President Donald J. Trump, who stated that he is “bringing Columbus Day back from the ashes.”
Be It Resolved: That the Massachusetts Republican Party stands in opposition to the repeal of the federal holiday of Columbus Day. The Massachusetts Republican Party will stand against canceling the historical figure who has served as a symbol of pride for many Americans and:
- Recognize Columbus Day
- Oppose the destruction of Columbus statues
- Acknowledge the discrimination against Italian Americans
- Oppose efforts to erase culture
- Stand against hate of ALL ethnic groups
- Celebrate both Italian and Indigenous peoples on their respective holidays
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